West Virginia emergency crews on alert as Tropical Storm Debby approaches

JEFFERSON COUNTY, W.Va. ( DC News Now ) — In West Virginia’s eastern panhandle, emergency management crews are tracking Tropical Storm Debby as it makes its way into the area.

Officials said the weather impact may not be as severe, but there are concerns.

Stephen S. Allen, the director of Jefferson County Emergency Management said that while they’re anticipating heavy precipitation, the focus right now is on the immediate dry conditions.

“We’re asking people to curtail any outdoor burning,” said Allen, “until we get the rain in and until we get that ground cover.”

Josh Thompson and his wife operate Nine Realms own a cardio kickboxing and fitness studio in Martinsburg.

Thompson is concerned about some downtown intersections that are susceptible to flooding and worries that farmers are going from extreme drought to sudden, extreme downpours.

“We need a nice light rain,” said Thompson. “Not what we’re looking at, a heavy rain. It’s going to be a concern for the farms,” he added.

Meanwhile, Emergency Management chief Allen is keeping his crew informed about weather conditions.

“We share that information from the National Weather Service and broadcast it out to make our teams here, the first responders, are aware of any special arrangements they need to make,” said Allen.

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